[1] Established in 1859, it was formed by reorganizing the Rajahmundry, Masulipatam, and Guntur collectorates into two districts: Godavari and Kistna, with the boundary between them marked by the Upputeru and Tamaleru rivers.

[2] The district was created to address challenges in managing irrigation systems and governance in the Godavari and Krishna river deltas.

The areas south and west of the Godavari River, excluding the Polavaram division, were transferred to the Kistna district.

[1] In September 1859, Sir Charles Trevelyan, the Governor of Madras, visited the region to address key developmental needs, including improving the port of Cocanada (now Kakinada), expanding irrigation systems, and developing navigation on the Godavari River.

[3] Previously, the Rajahmundry and Masulipatnam districts had overlapping and irregular boundaries, causing administrative difficulties, particularly in the management of irrigation systems.

[3] The Sub-Collector's headquarters was set at Narsapuram, overseeing the southern and western taluks, including fertile delta regions.

The final administrative structure stationed the Sub-Collector at Rajahmundry, the Head Assistant-Collector at Eluru, and the Deputy Collector at Narsapuram, streamlining governance across the region.

[3] Subsequent expansions included the addition of Bhadrachalam taluk in 1874 and two muttas from the Golgonda Agency in 1881, further shaping the district's boundaries.